- Alex Tuch says Alex Ovechkin loves being around the guys, having some beers and winning hockey games
- Tuch admitted he can’t outdrink Ovechkin and said the beers might wait until the plane ride home from Nashville
- Read below for the full TNT interview and what Tuch has done in his first 11 games with the Capitals
Alex Tuch has figured out what makes Alex Ovechkin tick, and it involves beer.
The Capitals winger was TNT’s guest before and after Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Flyers. He was asked about playing alongside Ovechkin in his final NHL season, and he got right to it.
“It doesn’t matter if you have one game in the league or a thousand games in the league. He treats you the same way,” Tuch said. “Just the ultimate pro. Loves being around the guys, having some beers and winning some hockey games.”
Here’s the pregame clip:
The beer line caught the TNT desk’s attention. Host Liam McHugh told Tuch to come back after the game and talk more about it.
Tuch had the night to talk about. He scored twice against Philadelphia and now has nine goals in 11 games since the Capitals brought him in from Buffalo. We wrote about his overtime winner against his old team last Saturday and the “big, dumb smile” he had waiting for that game.
McHugh was in a Halloween costume for the postgame segment and asked what it’s like to go out with Ovechkin. Tuch said you never know what conversation Ovechkin will drag you into, and he was upfront about who wins in that department.
“Definitely can’t outdrink him, especially when it comes to beers,” Tuch said. “But no, he just brings in that team camaraderie. He just wants to get the boys together.”
Watch Tuch’s postgame answers:
Tuch said the team would keep things lighter this time because Washington plays again Thursday in Nashville. He joked that the real celebrating could wait for the flight home.
“Maybe a little lighter today on the beers, especially with the back-to-back,” Tuch said. “But maybe on the plane [ride home] from Nashville.”
Ovechkin’s love of a cold one is well known around here. He once ranked his five favorite beers in a beer draft, and his $4.75 million bonus kicked in after Game 10 this month.
The Capitals face the Predators on Thursday. Tuch will be looking for goal number 10, and it’s Ovechkin’s last scheduled visit to Nashville.
